Abstract
Introduction: The prognostic value of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) in patients having a heat-related illness during a heat
wave has been poorly documented.
Methods: In a post hoc analysis, we evaluated 514 patients admitted to emergency departments during the August
2003 heat wave in Paris, having a core temperature >38.5°C and who had analysis of cTnI levels. cTnI was considered as
normal, moderately elevated (abnormality threshold to 1.5 ng.mL-1), or severely elevated (>1.5 ng.mL-1). Patients were
classified according to our previously described risk score (high, intermediate, and low-risk of death).
Results: Mean age was 84 ± 12 years, mean body temperature 40.3 ± 1.2°C. cTnI was moderately elevated in 165 (32%)
and severely elevated in 97 (19%) patients. One-year survival was significantly decreased in patients with moderate or
severe increase in cTnI (24 and 46% vs 58%, all P < 0.05). Using logistic regression, four independent variables were
associated with an elevated cTnI: previous coronary artery disease, Glasgow coma scale 120
μmol.L-1, and heart rate >110 bpm. Using Cox regression, only severely elevated cTnI was an independent prognostic
factor (hazard ratio 1.93, 95% confidence interval 1.35 to 2.77) when risk score was taken into account. One-year
survival was decreased in patients with elevated cTnI only in high risk patients (17 vs 31%, P = 0.04).
Conclusions: cTnI is frequently elevated in patients with non-exertional heat-related illnesses during a heat wave and
is an independent risk factor only in high risk patients where severe increase (>1.5 ng.mL-1) indicates severe myocardial
damage.